And not the kind you wear. Ok, i'm about to start construction on the 5/8" scale layout, and i'm using wood ties. How do any of you stain your ties to make them , well, realistic?? Need to know this before i start (obviously)
Ken, Although I don't do hand-laid track (my hats off to you for it ), I would suspect you would follow the same procedures as staining any wood. Myself, for a dark wood I use India ink and alcohol to the desired color (a little ink goes a LONG way). For browns I use different shades of brown shoe polish squeezed into a bowl and painted on. If you had enough in a bowl you could just soak the ties or dip them. The ink method dries very fast, polish takes just a bit longer. Anyhow, good luck and I hope to see some pictures! John
There seem to be many methods available. Inks and dyes are common. Appear to be easiest for mass producing stained ties. Boxcab E50
I was thinking along the lines of ink. Now why alcohol?? And what ratio would it be ink:alcohol? I'm looking at soaking them in a container, as there will be quite a few ties to do (more than quite a few) I'm also looking for any older, or junk O scale atlas turnouts that anyone might have kicking around that they want to get rid of cheap. They don't even have to have ties on them. As long as the rail is there. Oh, and 2 rail only. If anyone knows of where i can find some older o scale turnouts,please let me know. Along with the tie staining info.
Alcohol would be the thinner for the ink. Maybe you could mix different strength batches to gain different levels of "wear". Mix the different levels as you lay the track.
Good point. Ties are never replaced in the same way. Usually, some, but not all in any particular stretch. So, you'll have newer (darker ties. Mixed in with many older (lighter) ties. Ties most often weather out to a gray color. Treated, or not. Boxcab E50
Thats right guys. I can go from a light gray to nearly black. It works real well for weathering flat car decks and buildings I don't have a ratio for you. I weather like I cook...a pinch here and there to taste. So I recommend starting off with MORE alcohol than ink then add ink as you go... John
I have a section on my site about handlaying track and staining ties etc that you might find helpful.
